3 things we learned as NYCFC dropped points in Atlanta United FC draw

While New York City FC fans dealt with a nor’easter back home, the team found themselves on the road in Georgia to face Atlanta United FC. This was the first meeting of the season and the first time since they met in the revenge match, in which the Pigeons beat the Five Stripes at home to avenge the awful loss in the previous game. In Saturday’s meeting, though, the sides played to a 2-2 draw.

It was not a terrible game by any means, but NYCFC will definitely feel like they lost out on three points. Own Goal and Andrés Perea found the back of the net, but a mistake by Tomás Romero ultimately led the Bronx side from being up 2-1 to being leveled at 2-2.

Moreover, one can argue that the Pigeons had a brilliant first half, and even up until Perea scored. They played a great game, but after the second goal, most of the time was spent defending. And if Romero had not spilled the ball into the goal and fully made the save on Atlanta’s second goal, then the conversation would be different.

Sadly, mistakes seem to be the overall theme of 2026. Here are three things we learned from the draw between NYCFC and Atlanta.

Should NYCFC have won 2-1?

There is a question that can be asked: should the Pigeons have won 2-1? And no, this is not about the mistake on the home team’s second goal. Rather, it is about the first. Was the goal offside, and should VAR have overturned it? Apple TV color analyst Ian Joy surely believed so.

Notably, Joy is the former color commentator for NYCFC on YES, and is a legitimate fan. He might have some bias in this view. Still, there can be an argument there. Clearly, neither Giuliano Galoppo, who scored the goal, nor Tomás Jacob, who had the assist, were offside.

Rather, the argument stems from Breel Embolo attempting to play the ball in an offside position. The ball ultimately went around the forward, but he tried to get a touch on it to turn around and score.

Major League Soccer does not have the offside line technology that leagues like La Liga have. As such, VAR is utilized, and the question is whether Embolo was offside and whether it was clear and obvious. That could be up to interpretation, which is why it is hard to say, without a doubt, that NYCFC should have won 2-1.

NYCFC must seriously consider sitting Bénie Traoré

Most of the attacking players had a good game during those first 60 minutes, give or take. However, summer Designated Player signing Bénie Traoré continued his lackluster start to his NYCFC career. He had a few moments that showed his potential, but as a whole, the forward had too many missed chances and failed to impress against Atlanta.

Therefore, with the need to win, the club really must consider sitting Traoré and starting someone else for the rest of the season. In other words, it would be nice to see Luighi starting instead as the striker, and either Malachi Jones or Hannes Wolf as the left-winger.

While NYCFC is still somewhat weak on the left wing, either player would be the better choice, and then Luighi has impressed in his first few months as an NYCFC player. Sure, he was not great on Saturday. However, maybe he would have been better if he came on at halftime.

This is not to say the club should immediately cut their losses with Traoré. Some players take longer to adjust to the league. But the team cannot rely on him as of now, which is why he should not start.

The break is needed

Thankfully, this is the only game NYCFC will play during the international break, and that means the players have next week off. No games mean that the Pigeons cannot lose out on points in a self-inflicted way.

Both the players and fans likely really need this break. Of course, that does not mean NYCFC will be back ready to win. But maybe it will help the players mentally refresh.

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